In the News

Reporters across the nation use Institute data to fuel their investigative reporting on money in politics. Listed here from most recent.

Associated Press, New Jersey

McGreevey Signs Bill to Test Publicly Financed Elections2004-08-12

TRENTON, N.J. -- New Jersey, home to some of the most expensive legislative races in the country, will experiment with publicly financed elections in 2005.

The Record

Errors Pervade State's Data on Campaign Cash2004-08-10

BERGEN, N.J. -- The state of New Jersey's campaign finance database is riddled with inaccuracies, making it difficult -- and sometimes impossible -- to trace the millions of dollars flowing into the campaign coffers of New Jersey's elected representatives. And that means an incomplete picture of who's paying the freight in state politics.

The Virginian-Pilot

Top Donor to Kilgore Facing Probe2004-08-02

RICHMOND, Va. -- The top contributor to Virginia Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore's gubernatorial campaign is a retired Tennessee millionaire whose former pharmaceutical company is under federal investigation over how it set prices on drugs for government health programs.

Albuquerque Journal

Funds' Managers Gave Big to Gov2004-08-01

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The Richardson administration moved quickly after taking office to replace most of the private firms that help invest the state's two largest endowment funds. Six of the 11 new money managers, their officers or related companies have contributed a total of $105,500 to Richardson's political committees, with more than half of that coming after the State Investment Office hired them.

WICHITA, Kan. -- Candidates running for state office filed campaign finance reports this week, and the amount of money they've raised may be an indication of what lies ahead. Candidates with the most money have won about 92 percent of the time in Kansas' last three legislative elections, according to the Institute on Money in State Politics.

North County Times

Working the Web for Political Gain2004-07-25

ESCONDIDO, Calif. -- It appears politics is all about money these days, with the leading presidential candidates on track to break fund-raising records. So it is appropriate to visit some of the Web sites that attempt to keep tabs on the largesse.

Lake Sun Leader

Who's in the Money?2004-07-22

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. -- In the competition for the Republican nomination for the 115th District House seat, Gary Tompkins has raised almost as much money as his three rivals combined.

Albuquerque Journal

Donors to Gov. Win Legal Contract2004-07-18

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- An Arkansas law firm that, along with its members, contributed $79,000 to Gov. Bill Richardson's campaign and political action committee has received a potentially lucrative contract to represent the state in securities-fraud cases. And the firm has partnered with Texas and New Mexico lawyers who contributed another $90,350, data from the Institute on Money in State Politics shows.

Associated Press

Enron E-Mail a Window on Political Money2004-07-18

WASHINGTON -- In only a few e-mails, Enron employees laid bare the reality of politics: the money trail from companies seeking favors from lawmakers with the power to grant them. Enron officials map out in the e-mail how to get the most for their financial contributions, while politicians compete for credit in securing large campaign donations from the company.